Death and Decline
Tshibinda Ilunga was known as a hunter, warrior, prophet and civilizing hero. At his death his son Mwata Mutomb succeeds him and becomes the first Mwata Yamvo and extends the Empire further. During his reign, Mwata Mutomb’s authority is disputed by the Lunda who consider him and his family as foreigners. Because of numerous civil wars led by the Chokwe, he and the rest of the imperial family are forced to capitulate. They leave the Empire and begin a migration cutting all ties with the Lunda.
At the death of Queen Lueji Naweej, it is the son of her brother who takes the “rukan” and assumes to style and title of Mwata Yamvo; which all future Lunda rulers will assume. Like the Luba Empire; the Lunda Empire eventually splits creating off-shoot Kingdoms such as the Kazembe.
Today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Lunda Kingdom is still ruled by a Mwata Yamvo.
The descendant of Tshibinda Ilunga migrated north to the current Kasai-Oriental province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and founded the Kingdom of the Bakwa Dishi.
The Chokwe are known for their artistic wood carvings of Tshibinda Ilunga. He is usually portrayed with an extravagant hair style depicting his royal statues, a medicine horn as a symbol of his mystical knowledge and a staff which shows his rulership.
Statue of Tshibinda Ilunga
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